Easy-to-medium. Much of this will be things the computer savvy teenager is already familiar with, but provides a good overall view of the medium. More of a challenge if limited exposure to computers, prgrams and apps.

DISABILITIES AWARENESS

7

Medium

3 Months

none

While the political correctness runnth over, this is a merit badge to be proud of. Possibly a life/perspective-changing effort. Recently rewritten.

DOG CARE

10

Medium

2 Months

Helps to have a dog

A good one to do if you have a dog or like animals. If you don't have a dog, you might be able to take care of someone else's for the badge.

DRAFTING

7+

Medium

1-8 Weeks

none

Shades of my old mechanical drawing class from high school! Rewritten in 2009 pretty much requiring access to a CAD system and drawing tools. Might as well do the architecture badge while you're at it.

ELECTRICITY

11+

Medium

1-2 Weeks

none

Can get most of the information from books at the library. Rated medium because it requires two small projects and has over 10 requirements.

ELECTRONICS

6

Medium

1-2 Weeks

none

Goes well with electricity, project intensive and requires some math. Perfect if you are taking it in school anyway!

EMERGENCY PREP. (E Opt)

9+

Medium

1-6 Weeks

First Aid

This or Lifesaving is Eagle Required. This badge is a goes well right after First Aid and Pioneering.

ENERGY

8

Medium

3-6 Weeks

Jr/Sr High Science

This is best done in conjunction with a school science class and requires oral and written reports.

ENGINEERING

9+

Medium

1-2 Months

none

Another badge prepared by zealots! You'll know a lot about engineering and get to do some visits and hands-on projects. Learn why most engineers should be required to take the communications merit badge!

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

6+

Hard

3 Months

none

This badge was probably prepared by consultants (like a zealot only with no stake in the outcome)! Does require you to start a business, good joint badge with American Business.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(E Opt)

6+

Medium

1-8 Weeks

none

Eagle Required (or Sustainability). Rewritten to be a bit less zealous, which is good. An important badge, of course! A good one to do at Summer Camp.

FAMILY LIFE (E)

7

Easy

3 Months

none

Earn brownie points at home! A simple enough merit badge, but it does require some discipline. 90 days is a must for requirement 3.

FARM MECHANICS

7+

Medium

1-6 Weeks

none

If you live on a farm this is a breeze! If not, your camp ranger or a local farmer would appreciate your projects on this one.

FINGERPRINTING

5

Easy

1 Week

none

You can probably pick up a finger printing kit from your local police department ... and convince network TV to do a CSI spin-off for your home town.

FIRE SAFETY

12+

Medium

3 Weeks

none

Pyros ... this is the one for you - please! Not hard, but lots of stuff to do, explain, and demonstrate and includes a visit to the fire department.

FIRST AID (E)

7+

Hard

1 - 4 Weeks

none

You must know Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class first aid for this, but it's a good way to kill 4 birds with one stone (okay, wound 4 birds and then fix them up). Requires learning and demonstrating CPR. Good one to do before many other badges!

FISH AND WILDLIFE MGMT

8

Medium

1 - 4 Weeks

none

Good Summer Camp badge.

FISHING

9

Medium

1 - ? Weeks

none

Time to complete this is mostly dependent on how quickly you can catch two fish. Scout fishermen are exempt from "trustworthy" only in reporting the size of the fish that got away (simply because it's tradition)!

FLY FISHING

10

Medium

1 - ? Weeks

none

Why are there 10 requirements here and only 9 for Fishing you ask? Good question. If you do both together that would make sense, but this does have some special skills needed!

FORESTRY

7+

Hard

1 - 8 Weeks

none

This is a good Summer Camp badge. It requires several "collections"/identifications of plants, trees and shrubs.

GAME DESIGN

8

Medium

1-8 Weeks

none

Game design as in sports, board/card/role-play games, video games and etc. (aka broad definition). If you like games, this is a fun one and a good introduction to design issues, etc.

GARDENING

8

Medium

2 Months

none

Just need to watch your garden grow ... and a few other things! It just got promoted "meduim" due to a few new requirements, but is still a very straight-forward MB.

GENEALOGY

9

Medium

2-4 Weeks

none

The revision brings this badge down a notch from the over-zealous category. It is now more in-line with an introduction to the topic, albeit involved. It should be an interesting badge to do.

GEOCACHING

9

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

This looks like a pretty fun merit badge. Orienteering skills would help make this more meaningful but not required per se. Some geocaching equipment will be needed but your councellor or camp may have this available.

GEOLOGY

5+

Medium

1-16 Weeks

none

If you are a rock hound ... this is for you. Totally rewritten in 2006, it is now a more reasonable introduction. Still involved, but one you are more likely to tackle, rock-hound or not.

GOLF

8

Easy

1-4 Weeks

none

This is definitely a fun one, play golf and earn a badge!

GRAPHIC ARTS

7+

Medium

2-4 Weeks

none

Good intro to graphic arts and includes a field trip.

HIKING (E Opt)

7

Medium

1-4 Weeks

1st Class First Aid

Eagle alternate badge (swimming or cycling). This is a good one to do over a longer period of time based on troop hikes/events.

HOME REPAIRS

6+

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Make the folks happy by becoming Mr. Fix-it. I'm for this one!!! Thrift vs. the money pit (a house)!

HORSEMANSHIP

11

Medium

2 Months

Helps to have a horse

A good one to do if you have a horse or like animals. You even get to be "in harmony" with your horse. You could be the next horse whisperer!

INDIAN LORE

4+

Easy

1 Week

none

Could go well with history. This is a nice introductory level approach to the topic. Kudos to the authors.

INSECT STUDY

11

Hard

1-3 Months

none

If your school biology class still requires an insect collection, this will be a natural, otherwise the bug collection could be a show stopper. Has definite summer camp possibilities!

INVENTING

9

Medium

2-12 Weeks

none

Looks like a good introductory type badge. Expect to design your own invention and build a prototype.

JOURNALISM

5

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

This is a nice introductory level approach and very useful for understanding what you read and hear in the news.

KAYAKING

8

Medium

1-4 Weeks

Swimmer

Similar to other boating badges, this requires knoweledge of the equipment and demostrating some skills, but is a lot of fun!

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

6

Easy

1 Week

none

This is fairly straightforward and a good intro to landscaping. Pamphlet combined with Architecture in 2009.

LAW

11

Medium

2 Weeks

none

I expected a high-falutin' set of requirements, but found these quite reasonable. A good intro.

LEATHERWORK

5

Easy

1 Week

none

Good camp badge in terms of having the materials you need, but can be done at home too.

LIFESAVING (E Opt)

15+

Medium

1-4 Weeks

Swimming MB, CPR

Good camp badge for pool, etc. This is Eagle required, but optional if Emergency Preparedness has been earned. A good one to do regardless.

MAMMAL STUDY

5

Medium

1 Week

none

Has many options, some more time-consuming than others.

MEDICINE

10+

Hard

1 Month

none

Good introduction, but prepared by zealots. Lots of details in this one. Might be able to get into med school after this!

METALWORK

5+

Medium

1 Week

none

A good one to do in conjunction with metal shop. Access to proper tools is helpful. Should be able to forge the tetsighga with these skills.

MINING IN SOCIETY

8+

Medium

1 Month

none

This seems like a good introduction to mining. Much of it is reading and internet searching. A few tasks might take some time to complete simply in finding tracking things/people down to talk to.

MODEL DESIGN AND BUILDING

6

Medium

2 Weeks

none

Project planning and model creation required, but a fun one.

MOTORBOATING

6+

Medium

1-6 Weeks

CPR

This is a good one to be an older scout, having 1st Class swimming requirements and CPR (via First Aid or other merit badges) - access to a motorboat is required.

MOVIEMAKING

4

Easy

1-4 Weeks

none

This one replaces cinematography because apparently it was easier to spell. This is a fairly easy one to do and getting even easier with many options for shooting a video.

MUSIC

4

Easy

1-6 Months

none

Don't let 6 months scare you off -- one option is being in a band or choir for that long. Good introduction to music.

NATURE

4+

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Good summer camp or merit badge trail activity.

NUCLEAR SCIENCE

8

Medium

1-3 Months

none

Would go well with high school science. Not hard, but involves research and projects.

OCEANOGRAPHY

9

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Good in conjunction with high school biology, good selection of options to choose from.

ORIENTEERING

10+

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Might be better to be 2nd Class or above, but not essential. You'll know map reading and compass use well after earning this one! Still as a male you may only ask for directions as a last resort!

PAINTING

8

Easy

1-2 Weeks

none

An easy one, but useful none-the-less. You do not have to paint the counselor's house!

PERSONAL FITNESS (E)

9+

Medium

3 Months

none

Eagle required. This'll get you in shape!

PERSONAL MANAGEMENT (E)

10+

Medium

3 Months

none

Eagle required. This is medium because it requires planning and discipline, but provides good life skills!

PETS

4+

Easy

4 Months

none

Easier that Dog and Horse MBs, but you need 4 months of pet care to earn it.

PHOTOGRAPHY

5

Easy

2-4 Weeks

none

Rewritten in 2006 and 2013, this badge is now more of a general introduction to the subject. Should be an easy one to complete.

PIONEERING

10

Medium

1 Week

none

Good scout weekend or summer camp badge. Helps to earn this one on your way to Emergency Preparedness and after First Aid (or rank-level First Aid). If you like camp gadgets, you like this!

PLANT SCIENCE

7+

Hard

1-3 Months

none

Good companion to gardening MB. Does require growing some plants, hence 1-3 Months. The 2006 rewrite move this into the difficult and "created by zealots" category. It's more like 15 requirements than 7.

PLUMBING

7

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Does require using a torch and solder, and some plumbing materials and equipment.

POTTERY

8

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

You might find a ceramic/pottery shop offering a course or your counselor providing resources to assist you in doing the projects.

PROGRAMMING

6

Easy

1-2 Weeks

none

I think the old computers merit badge is revamped by createding the digital technologies and programming merit badges. This is a very good and easy introduction to programming which most scouts will knock out easily.

PUBLIC HEALTH

8

Medium

1-2 Months

none

Requires a few visits, so you'll need some extra time for logistics. And remember to wash your hands!

PUBLIC SPEAKING

5

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Good to do in conjunction with a high school speech class, or possibly find a Toastmaster's Club! A good skill to acquire. A close companion of the Communications MB.

Good introduction, but will require some expense and pretty involved. However, robots are pretty cool and there are kits to help. I don't believe you are allowed to fight them though …

ROWING

11+

Medium

1 Week

CPR, Swim Test

Do this one after First Aid and 1st Class or swimming MB.

SAFETY

8

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Fairly easy with one project involved.

SALESMANSHIP

7

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

You are likely already a pro based on school and scout sales alone ... might as well earn the badge!

SCHOLARSHIP

5

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Good student or improving those grades, get credit with a MB. Does have some writing, interviewing and visits.

SCOUTING HERITAGE

8

Easy

1-8 Weeks

none

A good introspective introduction to scouting. Learn some history, dig up some Troop history, make a collection of scouting stuff, and talk to some old scouters and you have a merit badge. Might be able to do in conjunction with collecting.

SCUBA DIVING

6+

Hard

2-4 Months

Swimming MB, CPR

This requires taking a full SCUBA training course (PADI's, or other, basic open water diver certification). Very fun, but time consuming and expensive. It is zealous (not an "intro to" badge), but you end up with an actual certification in the process.

SCULPTURE

3

Easy

1 Week

none

Play with clay, earn a badge! Probably have done this in art class at some time or another.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

10

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

While there aren't any pre-requisites, this MB follows nicely after first aid, emergency prep and/or life saving. It is more about the logistics of search and rescue and is a good introduction to it.

SHOTGUN SHOOTING

12+

Hard

1-8 Weeks

none

Might be good to do in conjunction with rifle shooting.

SKATING

6+

Medium

1 Week

1st Class First Aid

Good basic intro on your choice of three types of skating, does require a demonstration of skill.

SMALL-BOAT SAILING

9+

Medium

1-4 Weeks

CPR

Good summer camp or park district badge. Take after canoeing and/or rowing badges.

SNOW SPORTS

15

Medium

1-4 Weeks

1st Class First Aid

A fun badge, but requires study and skill, so this may take awhile to complete. Was called Skiing MB which better describes it.

SOIL AND WATER CONS.

7+

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Good Summer Camp or merit badge trail project, but can do any time.

SPACE EXPLORATION

8

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

You get to shoot a model rocket - gotta like that!

SPORTS

5

Medium

1 Month

1st Class First Aid

Requires participation in 2 sports. Should be a simple one for boys already doing recreational or school sports.

STAMP COLLECTING

8+

Medium

1 Month

none

If you like stamps and/or collecting, this is a good one. Think of stamps as trading or gaming cards!

SURVEYING

8

Medium

1 Week

none

Good basic intro to surveying. Your counselor, city manager/engineering dept., local college, etc. are all likely to have equipment and time to help you with this one.

SUSTAINABILITY (E Opt)

6+

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Eagle Required (or Evironemental Sciences). This is 15 tasks disguised as 6 requirements and involves mostly planning and research and very little "hands-on." Politically correct and full of good intentions (and easier), I'd still recommend ES for a more meaningful experience.

SWIMMING (E Opt)

10+

Medium

1 Week

CPR, 1st Class Swim Test

An eagle required badge (or cycling or hiking). I recommend this one, if physically able, even if you don't like to swim. It's an important life skill, even if just for safety.

TEXTILE

6

Easy

1 Week

none

Good introduction to textiles and the industry.

THEATER

6+

Medium

1 Week

none

Good one if you are involved in school Muse or Theater productions. This can be fun for campfires as well!

TRAFFIC SAFETY

5

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Requires a project related to traffic safety, but a good one to do before or during driver's training!

TRUCK TRANSPORTATION

10

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

The 2006 rewrite brings this down to level of a good introduction to the industry.

VETERINARY MEDICINE

6+

Medium

1 Month

none

Rewritten in 2006 and is a bit less intense now. A good badge for animal lovers.

WATERSPORTS (waterskiing)

7

Medium

1-4 Weeks

CPR

A fun badge, just made easier. Does require some demonstration of basic skills. Access to equipment is important - which your counselor usually has access to. Sometimes local park districts have programs that might assist with many or all requirements.

WEATHER

10

Medium

1 Week

none

While there are several requirements, the fall in the easy category. Does require a 5 minute talk.

WELDING

7+

Medium

1-2 Months

none

A good introduction into many of the basic skills of welding. Will require some access to equipment, but overall seems pretty straight-forward.

WHITEWATER

14

Hard

1-4 Weeks

CPR, Canoeing

This one is hard by virtue of the number of requirements and pre-requisites. Designed by zealots, but at least it was mostly for safety reasons.

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

12

Medium

1-4 Weeks

1st Class First Aid

Fun, useful, but fairly involved. A good summer camp badge, but can be done in conjunction with campouts.

WOOD CARVING

7

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Fun and only rated "medium" because two carvings are required ... watch your fingers!

WOODWORK

7+

Medium

1-4 Weeks

none

Requires a visit and a project or two, but if you like to make things out of wood ... this is for you.

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